Katie Ryan
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report
David Sherman remembers playing his first chess match with his friend Morton in Sherman’s house when he was about 40 years old — about 20 years ago.
For a long time after, he didn’t pay much attention to the game. He certainly wasn’t the Queen’s Gambit.
It wasn’t until six months ago when his son Matthew Sherman wanted to play with him that his interest was piqued.
From there, Sherman’s interest in the game grew, so much that now he’s working on starting a chess club in town.
Sherman, who recently moved to NOTL, is a semi-retired businessman. He works part-time at the trading company DS Advanced Enterprises Ltd, which he started and used to run as CEO.
“I still work a little, but I still have a lot of free time. I like to work because it keeps my brain occupied,” said Sherman.
This past winter, while he was staying in Florida, a neighbour in his community approached him after learning he liked to play chess.
“She wanted to play together, we had hour and a half games. When I moved to NOTL, I asked all of my tennis buddies who played chess, and none of them did,” he said.
“I’m trying to make some friends and maintain playing twice a week,” said Sherman. “I don’t know if I’m good or bad. But we’ll find out soon enough.”
Sheman started to study chess carefully and learned all of the different openings three to four months ago.
He also played a few matches against his computer to increase his skills and level as well as reading different books on chess.
Niagara Falls and St. Catharines have chess programs but can be too much of a commute for some players living in NOTL, he said.
“The closest chess club was in St. Catharines and I didn’t feel like driving there, so I figured we should have one here, why not?”
Sherman said chess is an enjoyable pastime for the brain.
“It also teaches you about how to make well-thought-out decisions in life,” he said, adding that when people make bad moves in life, someone else can take advantage of the move to better themselves, much like in chess.
“You have to look not at the move, but at your opponent’s next three or four moves,” said Sherman.
Sherman says has a long road ahead of him when it comes to learning about chess, but is looking forward to practicing more.
“I only play recreationally, but I think I’ve improved,” said Sherman.
He added that the level each player is at is crucial.
“You have to meet the players to decide what level you’re at to have equal games,” said Sherman. “If play someone who’s a beginner, I might, since I’m intermediate, beat them quickly since they’re not thinking the chess way yet.”
Sherman taught his son how to play chess, and he even went on to play in junior chess tournaments.
The program will take place at the NOTL Community Centre once a week during the afternoon. Specific days and times are still being finalized.
“The club will have open meetings at the Community Centre until we establish enough of a membership,” added Sherman.
The chess club is looking for at least 12 members to join before the club can begin regular meetings.
The membership fee will be $25, which will help pay for the room rentals at the Community Centre, refreshments, and new chess sets for members.
If interested, email NOTLchessclub@gmail.comÂ
